Faster pace of climate change is 'scary', former chief scientist says

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

Faster pace of climate change is 'scary', former chief scientist says

16 September 2019

By Roger Harrabin
BBC environment analyst
16 September 2019

Extreme events linked to climate change, such as the heatwave in Europe this year, are occurring sooner than expected, an ex-chief scientist says.

Prof Sir David King says he's been scared by the number of extreme events, and he called for the UK to advance its climate targets by 10 years.

But the UN's weather chief said using words like “scared” could make young people depressed and anxious.

Campaigners argue that people won't act unless they feel fearful.

Speaking to the BBC, Prof King, a former chief scientific adviser to the government, said: “It’s appropriate to be scared. We predicted temperatures would rise, but we didn’t foresee these sorts of extreme events we’re getting so soon.”

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49689018

[Newest Reality]

1. That has been the case.

I recall that, over time, articles about the acceleration have been common.

It is like there should be a Society for Surprised Scientists.

There are feedback loops in progress that may also hasten the effects of climate change.